Ian Darke slams what he saw at Fratton Park after Portsmouth win v Leeds United
Portsmouth head into the run-in of the final eight games with four points between them and the Championship drop zone.
Pompey were originally 10 points clear after beating Leeds United 1-0 in a memorable showdown at Fratton Park (9 March), but have fallen to defeat in each of their past two games.
This has coincided with teams below picking up crucial wins, breathing more intensely down Pompey’s necks despite the Blues maintaining their position of 17th in the table.
Darke slams complacency after Leeds win
Portsmouth were too complacent after the Leeds United game and perhaps over-celebrated the win as if it sealed Championship survival, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator and Blues fan, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, has admitted the side likely thought it was “mission accomplished” in terms of safety in the second tier towards next season.
However, Darke insisted Pompey fans should not be panicking just yet, as they would largely have taken the position they are currently in after 38 league games – the club are working with the smallest wage bill in the Championship, to boot.
“If it was the beginning of the season and Pompey were offered the position they’re in now at this stage, they’d have accepted it,” he exclusively told Pompey News.
“Nobody should panic because it’s the nature of the pace of the Championship and how quickly the table can change.
“One criticism I’d have after the Leeds game was the emotion seemed a bit high; there was a party mood among the players and fans after the game, and a feeling they probably thought safety was mission accomplished.
“In the last couple of games, they’ve gone back to looking a bit sloppy defensively. It’s cost them, and the battle isn’t over.”
Portsmouth have eight tricky Championship tests
Portsmouth now have 24 more points up for grabs, and will likely have to secure another 12 points to be absolutely sure of a place in the Championship next season.
Anything less could put the Blues at risk if sides below them begin to outperform their averages, which can often tend to be the case when scrapping for their lives.
| Date | Portsmouth – remaining fixtures |
| 29 March | Blackburn (H) |
| 5 April | Millwall (A) |
| 9 April | Coventry (A) |
| 12 April | Derby (H) |
| 18 April | Norwich (A) |
| 21 April | Watford (H) |
| 26 April | Sheffield Wednesday (A) |
| 3 May | Hull (H) |
Coming next for Mousinho‘s men is the visit of Blackburn Rovers to Fratton Park (29 March) – Pompey always look assured and dominant at home, but it’s a different story on the road.
Having suffered yet another away defeat late on against Preston North End before the international break (15 March), Portsmouth must still go to Millwall, Coventry City, Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday.